ArcGIS Flight vs PennDOT
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ArcGIS Flight
Plan and execute drone flights for aerial mapping and 3D model creation. Features automated flight path generation, terrain following, and preflight checklists for efficient data collection. Seamlessly transfer images for cloud or desktop processing.
- Automated flight path generation
- Terrain Follow for enhanced imagery
- Customizable preflight checklists
- Automatic flight splitting for long flights
- Wireless image transfer
- Integration with Site Scan Manager, Drone2Map, and ArcGIS Pro
Read full descriptionHide full description
ArcGIS Flight makes it easy to collect images to create accurate, high-resolution maps and 3D models using drones. Choose from a variety of flight modes tailored to the type of site being captured, and the app will automatically define the optimal flight path and allow you to preview it in 2D or 3D. Pilots can use Terrain Follow, which enhances imagery quality by adjusting the drone's height to follow the terrain. After completing your organization's custom preflight checklist, the app automatically conducts aircraft checks and performs the flight. Long flights are automatically split, allowing you to change your drone’s battery and resume where you left off. After completing the flight, wirelessly transfer the images to your iPad and upload them along with your Fleet Management information to Site Scan Manager for processing on the cloud. It is also possible to transfer the images captured during a flight for processing using ArcGIS Drone2Map or ArcGIS Pro using the ArcGIS Reality for ArcGIS Pro extension. Compatibility: - Requires an ArcGIS account with mobile worker or higher license or a Site Scan operator license. - Requires compatible drone, check the latest documented drone matrix for supported firmware versions: https://doc.arcgis.com/en/flight/latest/get-started/requirements.htm
PennDOT
Read full descriptionHide full description
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Sample Identification (Sample ID) app enables construction inspectors and materials engineers to submit requests to have their samples tested by the materials lab (LTS). Users can log in to app using their CWOPA credentials to create new requests, view the results of previous tests or receive notification when a sample has been tested.
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: ArcGIS Flight at every 4 months against PennDOT's every 14 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ArcGIS Flight ships an update every 4 months, PennDOT every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ArcGIS Flight | PennDOT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (20 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 376 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ESRI | Executive Office of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
In-app purchases
ArcGIS Flight
No in-app purchases
PennDOT
No in-app purchases







